DODD Darin, Bobby Darin’s son from his marriage to actress Sandra Dee, was recently quoted as saying: “You better believe that my father was a man on a mission – he had not a moment to waste.

He did not suffer fools lightly. All that drive was because he realised he was not going to live a full life. He wanted to achieve. He wanted to leave his mark”.

Bobby Darin always knew he had a weak heart and would die young, which indeed he did, in October 1973, aged just 37. This probably explains why he went through so many changes – from rock’n’roller to Sinatra-style big band singer, from film actor to folk singer. This final compilation in a fine series of Darin CDs on the Edsel label, is of his final work. Gone is the tuxedo and the toupe – these are his own heartfelt compositions of humour, love and peace.

Best of them are Me And Mr Hohner, Distractions, and the first airing of his great protest song Simple Song Of Freedom, recorded live at the Troubadour club on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles in May 1969.